Offer of free health checks

Thousands of men, have taken on the Movember challenge this year to raise money for research into cancers such as prostate, bowel and lung cancer which are particularly prevalent in men.

The local NHS Nottingham West Clinical Commissioning Group is also taking the opportunity to raise awareness of free health checks for men over 40 as figures show that fewer than forty per cent of men in their 40’s take up the offer to check their overall health and wellbeing.

The free health checks involve meeting with a nurse or GP to test for the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes and a chance to discuss any health concerns they may have.

Chief Officer at the CCG Oliver Newbould, who is one of the men growing a moustache for Movember, said it was vital for men to get checked out.

He added: “Us chaps tend to think that we’ll live for ever and we all tend to stick our heads in the sand when it comes to our health, but there’s really no excuse for not getting yourself checked out.

“The good news is that the risks of heart disease, stroke and diabetes can all be controlled with changes to lifestyle. Identifying that risk can be a crucial first step that motivates someone to change for life.”